Highlights:
• Try to maintain a healthy weight.
• Minimize alcohol consumption.
• Make sure to manage stress.
• Reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
A problem that affects one in every six people worldwide – why is infertility so common today, and what can we do to reduce the risk?
In some cases, difficulty conceiving has purely physiological causes. But the fight against infertility is largely also in our own hands.
The medical community is clear: we can avoid certain risk factors and harmful habits, and in doing so, make it easier to fulfill the dream of becoming parents.
Overweight and infertility
Body fat percentage affects the hormonal balance in the body, and this is especially true for women. For those entering menopause, for example, it is not recommended to be too thin, as this further hinders estrogen production.
However, being overweight is considered a problematic factor when trying to conceive. Obesity, which today affects a vast number of men and women worldwide, can disrupt the normal functioning of the ovaries. At the same time, overweight men often have a reduced sperm count. The quality of their sperm is also likely to be affected.
Of course, infertility is not the only issue related to uncontrolled weight gain. It is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and even some types of cancer. That’s why efforts to maintain a healthy weight through sufficient physical activity and a balanced diet are always worthwhile.
We should also mention excessively underweight individuals — because being under the normal weight range can also hinder conception. It has been found that around 60% of cases of so-called anovulatory infertility are due to two serious conditions — anorexia and bulimia.
To give you an even clearer idea of the seriousness of this issue, anovulatory infertility is the cause in 1/3 of the couples who seek help at reproductive clinics.
The harm caused by alcohol
Alcohol is not your friend when it comes to health.
This is a well-known fact, and most people today are aware of the risks of overconsumption. But did you know that there may be a link between alcohol use and difficulties conceiving?
It has been scientifically established that prolonged alcohol intake affects hormonal balance and causes changes in ovulation and the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Abuse of alcoholic beverages also leads to faster depletion of ovarian reserve.
In men, alcohol can also disrupt hormonal balance by lowering testosterone levels. Heavy drinking may even cause testicular atrophy. To date, it has not been definitively proven whether moderate alcohol consumption affects male fertility. However, there is sufficient evidence that even small amounts of alcohol can harm our overall health — and that alone is a good enough reason for both men and women to limit their intake as much as possible.
The role of stress in infertility
Excessive stress can disrupt the normal hormonal balance in both men and women.
During intense or prolonged stress, the levels of the hormone adrenaline in the body rise sharply. In women, this adrenaline spike leads to lower progesterone and higher prolactin levels, which, simply put, can interfere with conception.
Prolonged “adrenaline shock” also impairs the functioning of the male reproductive system. Uncontrolled stress can increase chronic inflammation in the body, disrupt blood flow, lower testosterone levels, and reduce the number of sperm produced by the testes.
Cortisol – another stress hormone – can also act as a hormonal disruptor. Elevated cortisol levels come at the expense of sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), decrease sexual desire in both sexes, and worsen sperm quality.
Stress from unsuccessful attempts to conceive
This brings us to another important topic – the vicious cycle many couples find themselves in when trying to have a child.
The reason is that after several months or more than a year of trying, doubts about whether everything is okay start to weigh heavily. This stress can interfere with the couple’s ability to conceive soon… which then causes even more stress. We’ve already discussed the negative effects of stress on reproductive health in the previous section.
If you’re trying to conceive, the Oview test can turn time into your ally. This easy-to-use home test accurately determines the time of ovulation. While this can theoretically be calculated easily, due to the unique characteristics of each individual body, it is rarely that precise without using a test.
Let’s explain it a bit more clearly: In theory, ovulation is expected to occur “in the middle of the menstrual cycle,” or approximately between the 10th and 17th day from the first day of the cycle. However, this is an average estimate. For a large number of women—perhaps more than half—the exact moment of egg maturation does not align with this time frame. That’s why using the Oview ovulation test provides much more accurate information about when your personal chance of conceiving occurs each month. This helps you avoid months of theoretical calculations, unsuccessful attempts, and the stress that comes with them.
As early as the seventh day after trying to conceive, you can use Presto — an early pregnancy test that doesn’t require you to wait for a missed period.
Harmful chemicals in the environment
The problem of infertility is also linked to the increasing pollution of the environment.
Smog in large cities, as well as pesticides, household chemicals, and certain chemicals found in plastic packaging, all have an impact. Unfortunately, these are harmful factors that many people are exposed to daily. And because their harmful effects are subtle and don’t occur suddenly, it’s easy to overlook them.
Which pollutants can increase the risk of infertility?
One of them is Bisphenol A (BPA) – a chemical found in many plastic packaging materials. The health risks of BPA are numerous and scientifically proven, including its role as a hormone disruptor.
Another dangerous group of chemicals are phthalates, which are used in various plastic products, even in children’s toys. They are also widely present in many cosmetic products such as nail polishes and lotions.
Last but not least is air pollution. A risk factor for our overall health, polluted air is also one of the causes of reduced semen quality and, consequently, male infertility. In women, smog increases the risk of preeclampsia and premature birth.
Reduce the risk of infertility caused by chemical pollutants:
• Avoid areas in the city near the busiest boulevards
• Air out your home early in the morning when the air is cleaner
• Regularly wipe down floors and furniture with a damp cloth, as dust particles can contain potentially harmful chemicals
• Use the purest cosmetics possible
• Reduce the use of aggressive cleaning products at home.
Can we realistically increase our chances of conceiving if we follow these tips and avoid modern risk factors?
The answer is yes, and the scientific evidence is more than convincing.
A modern study from 2021 observed couples trying to conceive naturally over the course of one year. Some of the couples had up to four unhealthy habits considered risky for conception. The rest followed all health recommendations related to physical activity, nutrition, and overall lifestyle. At the end of the 12-month period, 38% of the couples with unhealthy habits had successfully conceived. Among the couples living healthfully, 83% had conceived!
This is a clear signal that our efforts to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce our exposure to modern pollutants can significantly improve our chances of conceiving without complications!
Sources:
1 – https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility
2 – https://positivestepsfertility.com/blog/lifestyle-and-fertility
3 – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5504800/
